Byung-Uk Do

South Korea’s acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo spoke with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss various issues of mutual concern. In his first direct communication with Seoul since returning to the White House, Trump reasserted his transactional approach to foreign policy, calling for allies such as South Korea and Japan to be prioritized in ongoing trade negotiations.

South Korea’s constitutional court on Monday ruled against the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, restoring him to his position as acting leader, while not yet ruling on the separate impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his surprise martial law declaration late last year. Seven of the court’s eight justices overturned or dismissed Han’s impeachment, casting expectations that the judges may not reach a unanimous decision to remove Yoon from office, sources said.